New toy an interactive fur ball

October 5, 1998
Web posted at: 10:59 p.m. EDT (0259 GMT)

NEW YORK (CNN) -- Shoppers are snatching up computerized fur
balls at $35 a pop. And even though Christmas is still three
months away, toy experts have declared the Furby (short for
fur ball) the hottest toy of the season.

Furbies have seven sensors to help them interact with you. One
tells the fur ball when it's being fed. Another informs Furby
when it's having its tummy tickled.

The critters speak Furbish, a fantasy language. But the more
you play with them, the more English they learn.